Windows 98 S.E Critical updates after 30th June 2006

What should Windows 98 S.E users do when the support for critical updates
cease on 30th June 2006
I really do not want to upgrade to XP, is this the only way to receive
critical updates after the support end date?
And is it ok to purchase a full XP package and install over 98 S.E or is it
better to buy the upgrade package.
Is is safe enough to carry on without downloading the updates as long as you
have a good firewall?
By the way I do have the original 98 S.E CD disc and key number.

Forwarded to Win98 General Discussion via crosspost.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Shell/User, Security), Aumha.org VSOP, DTS-L.org

Zippy wrote:
> What should Windows 98 S.E users do when the support for critical updates
> cease on 30th June 2006
> I really do not want to upgrade to XP, is this the only way to receive
> critical updates after the support end date?
> And is it ok to purchase a full XP package and install over 98 S.E or is
> it better to buy the upgrade package.
> Is is safe enough to carry on without downloading the updates as long as
> you have a good firewall?
> By the way I do have the original 98 S.E CD disc and key number.

At that point all current updates will remain available for an undetermined
length of time.
My guess is several years.
Once support stops, no more updates are researched much less made available.

As to how safe the computer will be?
That largely depends on the vulnerabilities discovered and how they are
abused.
You will need to manage your own risk just as you now do.

A fully patched and well maintained computer is not guaranteed safe
regardless the operating system.
The risks will grow as time goes on once updates no longer are made
available..

If the computer is old enough for Windows 98, it is probably to old to run
Windows XP efficiently:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/h...g/default.mspx
Note: The minimum and even recommended are less than many recommend for
Windows XP.
After reviewing the above website, only you can determine if an upgrade is
warranted.

If you choose to upgrade, get the upgrade rather than the full version.
Once installed there is no difference between full and upgrade.
Even a Clean Installation on each is identical with the exception of you
need to insert the qualifying media (Windows 98) for a few minutes to verify
the computer qualifies for the upgrade.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"Zippy" <> wrote in message
news:0D4216FA-0730-4BA2-921D-...
> What should Windows 98 S.E users do when the support for critical updates
> cease on 30th June 2006
> I really do not want to upgrade to XP, is this the only way to receive
> critical updates after the support end date?
> And is it ok to purchase a full XP package and install over 98 S.E or is
> it
> better to buy the upgrade package.
> Is is safe enough to carry on without downloading the updates as long as
> you
> have a good firewall?
> By the way I do have the original 98 S.E CD disc and key number.

"PA Bear" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Forwarded to Win98 General Discussion via crosspost.
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Shell/User, Security), Aumha.org VSOP, DTS-L.org

Thanks, Pa!

> Zippy wrote:
> > What should Windows 98 S.E users do when the support for critical
updates
> > cease on 30th June 2006

Consider the wisdom of buying a new computer. (Only half kidding.)

> > I really do not want to upgrade to XP, is this the only way to receive
> > critical updates after the support end date?

It's the only way to receive *new* Critical Updates. You will still be able
to obtain existing updates for some time to come.

> > And is it ok to purchase a full XP package and install over 98 S.E or is
> > it better to buy the upgrade package.

It's better to buy a new computer.

> > Is is safe enough to carry on without downloading the updates as long as
> > you have a good firewall?

I'll be watching the news, waiting for the day that some fatal flaw presents
which will not be patched. Otherwise, much of modern programming in the
internet and protection world is leaving WIn9x systems behind anyway. Except
for legacy uses, I see Win9x failing to meet most home users' needs by the
end of this year.

> > By the way I do have the original 98 S.E CD disc and key number.

That's good. If your hardware is relatively new, you might take the
half-step of upgrading to Windows XP. I'd recommend saving off personal data
and clean-installing XP Upgrade version, using the 98SE CD as proof of
eligibility.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User

On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 19:16:38 -0800, "Gary S. Terhune"
<> wrote:

>I'll be watching the news, waiting for the day that some fatal flaw presents
>which will not be patched. Otherwise, much of modern programming in the
>internet and protection world is leaving WIn9x systems behind anyway. Except
>for legacy uses, I see Win9x failing to meet most home users' needs by the
>end of this year.

Gary
You sure of Changed your tune about xp. I thought you hated xp and
even said to keep using windows 98se and/or change to Linux, Mac.

Actually,
It is Macromedia, quicktime and Adobe that will force customer to
upgrade to xp or vista or another operating system. They all have
stop supporting 98se, ME.

However, one good thing is for 98,ME users with Macromedia. Dial-up
user will no longer have to worry about pop up Macromedia flash ads.


Greg Ro

"GregRo" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> Gary
> You sure of Changed your tune about xp. I thought you hated xp and
> even said to keep using windows 98se and/or change to Linux, Mac.

You've got me confused with someone else. I dislike Macs on principle and
have never had the patience for Linux. I've been using XP (and loving it)
since beta days. Only reason I'm using 98 right now as my main machine (as
opposed to being a test-bed system) is that my main XP machine is broken. In
fact, I'm just about to dive into my pile of parts and see if I can't
resurrect one decent XP system. I'm real tired of 98 networking and other
crappy 98 solutions. Yes, XP has it's own problems, and I'm sure I've
complained more than once about them, but I seldom if ever have considered
98 as an alternative solution in any particular case.

> Actually,
> It is Macromedia, quicktime and Adobe that will force customer to
> upgrade to xp or vista or another operating system. They all have
> stop supporting 98se, ME.

Exactly what I was referring to. Those are all "internet applications" in my
book. I figure about one more year before no AV or firewall system will work
decently on 98, though someone may decide to specialize in that legacy
solution (for money, of course.)

> However, one good thing is for 98,ME users with Macromedia. Dial-up
> user will no longer have to worry about pop up Macromedia flash ads.

They don't have to now, not if they don't want to. In fact, without
something intervening, I'm betting you *do* get a prompt to install Flash or
Shockwave, et al, and then a message that you can't. Can't see most web
designers bothering to check for version first. Gotta be just as irritating
as the ads themselves (which I hardly ever see, anyway, even with Flash &
Shockwave installed.)

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User